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DIY Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.I’ve always been a fan of simple wood bead necklaces. They seem to go with any outfit – whether casual or a little dressy – and they always provide that bit of ‘boho’ vibe that I adore. So today, I thought I’d share this simple bead necklace. It is easy to create and, best of all, uses up some of that extra nail polish that always seems to accumulate! While not a typical craft you see on this blog, after sharing it over at the lovely lifestyle blog, Pastels and Macarons, I thought you all might enjoy it, too! This project takes about 1 hour to complete and is a great craft to do on your own, with the kiddos or with your crafty friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Let’s get started!

MATERIALS

Materials // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish

  • Wood beads
  • Nail polish
  • 1mm width cotton or silk beading cord
  • Two 1/4″ compression sleeves (the small, copper tubes just to the right of the beads above)
  • Skewer
  • Washi tape
  • Toothpick (not pictured)
  • Glue (E6000 is a great choice for jewelry crafts)
  • Scissors
  • Two sets of pliers (round nose and flat nose)
  • Jewelry findings:
    • Two 1mm jump rings
    • Two end caps to fit 1mm beading cord
    • One ‘lobster claw’ clasp

STEPS

Step 1:  Paint Beads

The simplest way to paint these beads is by taking a skewer and sliding each wood bead through. Wrap tape between each bead to keep them in place.

Skewer and Tape // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish

Taking the nail polish, begin painting each bead. Start with a layer of white before applying the other colours. Wood absorbs quite a bit so it’s a good idea to apply a base coat first. (If you don’t have white, then be prepared to paint on a few coats of your coloured nail polish).

Apply white base // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish

Let dry.

Let white nail polish dry // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail PolishOnce the white coat has dried, apply your colours. I chose soft pastels and whites. Apply two coats. Let dry between applications. Remove the washi tape.

Step 2:  Prepare Necklace

First, cut your beading cord to the desired length. Slide the painted beads through. I added copper embellishments that were actually 1/4″ compression sleeves that I picked up at our local hardware store. Place one at either end of the string of beads.

String beads on necklace // DIY a Painted Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish

To prepare the closure of the necklace, pick up one end of the cord and one end cap. (End caps are used to cover the tips of any soft stringing materials used in necklace or bracelet crafts).

End cap and cord. // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish.

Add a bit of glue inside the end cap using a toothpick.

Glue inside of end cap // DIY a Bead Necklace Using Nail Polish.

Slide the cord into the end cap.

Attach cord ends to end caps. // DIY a bead necklace using nail polish.

Repeat these steps on the other end of your cord, attaching the second end cap the same way. Let dry.

Next, using pliers, open each of the two jump rings. [Jump rings are used to attach or connect one element (like a chain or end cap) to another (like a clasp)].

Tip:  A jump ring is made of wire shaped into a circle that is soldered shut at the two points that close the circle. To open it find the point at which the two ends meet. Gently open sideways making sure that the ring retains it’s ‘c’ shape. If you pry open a jump ring any other way, it may be difficult to retain its circular shape once you close it up again.

Open jump rings. // DIY a bead necklace using nail polish.

Slide each opened jump ring through the loops at the top end of each end cap.

Slide jump ring through end cap rings. // DIY a bead necklace using nail polish.Close up one of the two jump rings.

Close up one jump ring. // DIY a bead necklace using nail polish.

Next, attach the lobster claw clasp to the jump ring that is still open.

Attach lobster claw to open jump ring. // DIY a bead necklace using nail polish.

Close up the second jump ring.

And that’s it! Now you have a unique and pretty wood bead necklace to wear!

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.

Make this unique and oh-so-pretty wooden bead necklace using nail polish and copper embellishments. A chic and minimal necklace with a subtle style statement.If you are looking for a chic and pretty necklace idea, I hope you give this one a try. With this handmade piece, there are so many possibilities to personalize it with your choice of colours and embellishments. And once you’re done, you’ll have a unique, handmade necklace to add to any outfit.

Happy crafting 🙂

 

For more craft, decor and DIY’s from around the web, check out the following blogger link parties: Show & TellMad SkillsHappiness Is HomemadeCreate It ThursdayWelcome Home WednesdaysThat DIY PartySnickerdoodle SundayDare To ShareCraft Schooling SundayBest of the WeekendInspiration SpotlightPeace-Love-Link-UpBFF Open HouseCreativity UnleashedRecipe & DIY LinkyThe Handmade HangoutNo Rules Weekend Blog PartyThe DIY CollectiveThe Creative ExchangeWelcome Home Wednesdays and Creative Spark Link Party.

12 Comments

  • Reply
    Maria Brittis
    July 28, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Very pretty colors for the necklace, that’s actually a great idea and nail polish lasts too.
    Maria

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 28, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Thanks Maria! The wood beads absorbed the nail polish quite a bit, so I’m quite happy with the results 🙂

  • Reply
    Laurie
    August 1, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Lovely! Never thought to use nail polish. This is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing. Pinned 🙂

    • Reply
      Jelica
      August 2, 2016 at 9:17 am

      Thanks Laurie! What I love about using nail polish is the added shine that it brings to the colours applied. Not to mention, it’s a great way to use up some of that extra nail polish that seems to accumulate 😉

  • Reply
    Theresa
    August 4, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    I love this bead necklace DIY! So classy & cute. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared. See you again soon!!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      August 4, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks Theresa!

  • Reply
    Joanna @DIY Project
    July 16, 2018 at 2:04 am

    Such an awesome way using the nail polish. Thanks for posting this. Clear and simple necklace painting DIY tutorial to follow.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      July 21, 2018 at 7:10 pm

      Thanks Joanna! It’s a simple, yet effective way of creating a wide variety of DIY necklaces 🙂

  • Reply
    thejewelcreation
    October 22, 2018 at 5:00 am

    This is something unique and elegant. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Reply
      Jelica
      November 3, 2018 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks very much! It was simple to make and I just love anything handmade. It makes the piece all the more special 🙂

  • Reply
    Holly
    August 4, 2022 at 11:47 am

    They are so pretty. Question how have they held up, has the polish scratched off at all?
    I want to make for my grand niece but she’s a tween and a bit rough on things…. hence the curiosity.

    • Reply
      Jelica
      August 19, 2022 at 4:03 pm

      It’s held up on my end, but I’m not too rough on mine, so it’s difficult to say! If you are concerned about it holding up, you might want to add a clear coat of nail polish or even clear coat of Krylon spray paint for added protection 🙂

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